Skincare by age: What your morning routine should look like in your 30s

It’s time to get on the anti-ageing bandwagon

The 30s are a tricky age group—adulthood really sinks in and suddenly you’re expected to be a pro at everything. And while the bane of your existence in your 20s, acne, will be the least of your worries, you can expect dull skin, spots thanks to pigmentation, and under-eye bags—all the signs that reveal your never-stop lifestyle—to take its place. In your 20s, you could get away with a simple CTM routine, but now it’s time you upped your beauty game. Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist Dr Malavika Kohli helps us devise the ideal morning skincare routine for your 30s.

Your skin’s daytime needs in your 30sThroughout the day, your skin is exposed to multiple environmental stressors like dust, polluted air, and most importantly, the sun. This leaves you with dehydrated skin that starts to act up with signs of ageing like dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

Your skin’s worst enemies (besides the sun) come straight from your lifestyle. Intoxicants like smoking and alcohol show up on your skin in the form of darkened lips, crow’s feet and puffiness. Also, constantly indulging in foods that have processed sugar or a high glycemic index—or even an extreme change in weight—can wreak havoc on your skin. Make sure you include ingredients like peptides, ferulic acid and genistein in your skincare routine to tackle fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Your skin’s main concernsDehydrated skin, signs of ageing like dark spots and wrinkles.

The perfect morning skincare routine for your 30sCleansing: Start your day with a gentle cleanser or foaming wash that works for your skin type. Ensure that while it isn’t too harsh on your skin, it does the job and leaves your face squeaky clean. If you have any make-up on your face from the previous night (you shouldn’t!), use micellar water first to clean that up and then follow up with your face wash.Exfoliation: Scrub your face two-three times a week depending on your skin sensitivity, with a gentle exfoliator for a deep cleanse.Serum: Make a vitamin C serum an important part of your routine to tackle dull skin and pigmentation. If your skin feels dehydrated, make sure your serum comes packed with hyaluronic acid.Moisturising: The most important ingredients in your moisturiser again are vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. If your skin requires both, include one as part of your serum and the other in your day cream. If your skin requires intense healing and repair, look out for ingredients like ferulic acid and isoflavones in your skincare products.
Sun protection: This is an absolute essential as a preventive measure for all signs of ageing. It’s best if your sunscreen comes with liquorice extracts or arbutin, both of which work as skin brighteners as well. SPF 30-50 is perfect if you’re stepping outdoors, you can opt for a matte one that is silicon-based or tinted.

Ingredients you should avoidRetinol and glycolic acid (for those with sensitive skin). For others, along with a well-established skincare routine, it’s essential that you sign up for rotational treatments with these ingredients on weekends that’ll act as a corrective and preventive measures.

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Avène Cleansing Foam, Rs 1,600

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Clarins Gentle Refiner Exfoliating Cream, Rs 2,300

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Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrating Supercharged Concentrate, Rs 3,950

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Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream SPF 30, Rs 7,700

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Epique Advance UV Protection System, Rs 3,600

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Forest Essentials Soundarya Facial Ubtan, Rs 1,025

Shiseido White Lucent Multi Targeting Corrector Serum, Rs 6,000

This story is part of ourSkincare For Your Ageseries which will cover everything from the perfect morning routine to dermatologist treatments for your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Check back every week for a new one